So Ritter out. Hick in.

I was on vacation when a friend and political source texted me with news that Ritter wouldn’t seek re-election.

The memory will forever be associated with the fact that due to the lack of a workable can-opener in the condo we rented, I was opening cans of beans and tomato sauce and whatnot for veggie chili with a Swiss Army Knife. The mix of old technology and new cracked me up.

For political junkies, this is great stuff. I almost wanted to leave my vacation.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.